Classic Psychedelic Use and Current Meditation Practice

ObjectivesPrevious research has investigated potential synergies between classic psychedelics and meditation practice, but relatively little remains known about the relationship between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with meditation practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with two popular types of meditation: mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation.MethodThis retrospective, population-based observational study included 2822 respondents aged 18 years or older in the United States. Using covariate-adjusted regression models, this study examined associations of classic psychedelic experiences with current practice of mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation.ResultsIn covariate-adjusted regression models, lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice but not current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Both psychological insight and ego dissolution were associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Notably, when psychological insight and ego dissolution were entered into the regression model simultaneously, only greater psychological insight was associated with having a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice.ConclusionsAlthough the findings in this study cannot demonstrate causality, they suggest that classic psychedelic experiences may exert a positive effect on the cultivation and maintenance of health-related behaviors such as regular meditation practice, with psychological insight appearing to be a stronger predictor than ego dissolution.PreregistrationThis study was not preregistered.

Automated summary

This study examines the relationship between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation. The findings suggest that classic psychedelic use is associated with higher frequency of mindfulness meditation practice but not loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Psychological insight and ego dissolution are both related to higher frequency of both types of meditation practice, but psychological insight appears to be a stronger predictor than ego dissolution.